Closure and container combination



April 1968 L. .1. LINK ETAL CLOSURE AND CONTAINER COMBINATION Filed Dec.27, 1965 FIG.2

INVENTORS LEO J Ll/VK CARL H BOETCKER 0M.

United States Patent 3,379,327 CLOSURE AND CONTAINER COMBINATION Leo J.Link, Erie, and Carl H. Boetcker, Lake City, Pa., assignors to AmericanSterilizer Company, Erie, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec.27, 1965, Ser. No. 516,284 3 Claims. (Cl. 215-40) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A venting sterilization closure having a caplike shape, anannular sealing plug extending into the mouth of the container, awedge-shaped projection engaging the lip of the container, a shouldersupported by a flange extending from the lower end wall of the closureand a notch in said shoulder to allow venting during sterilization.

This invention relates generally to fluid handling and, moreparticularly, to container and closure means for sterilizing, storing,and dispensing medical, surgical, and the like fluids for laboratory,hospital and similar use.

The invention provides a simple, convenient and economical system havingonly one reusable part on the container. The closure is intended for asingle use only. The container and one piece closure are self-ventingduring sterilization and self-sealing at the end of the sterilizationcycle. The system affords an easy check on the continuous sterility ofthe container fluid since the closure will be indented so long as anegative pressure is maintained in the container. The closure andcontainer constitute an improvement over Patent No. 3,047,177.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide animproved closure.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved closure incombination with a flask or container.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a closure having animproved sealing and venting structure thereon.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consistsof the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and more particularlypointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes maybe made in the form, size, proportions, and minor details ofconstruction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top of a closure according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1 andshowing a portion of the flask.

Now with more particular reference to the drawing, the container of theinvention comprises a flask 30 shown in phantom lines which may be, forexample, any of the well known glass flasks such as used inlaboratories, hospitals, and the like. The flask has a neck whichterminates at its upper end in a bead 31 with a flattened rim portion 37on its uppermost part in the bead 31.

The closure of the invention comprises a rubber or other elastic coveror stopper indicated generally at and made of an integral, one piececonstruction. The closure 10 is formed to a general cup shape and, moreparticularly, with a lateral or end wall 11 having integrally dependenttherefrom a generally vertical side wall 12. The end wall has a centralplug or waist 13 integrally attached to it and extending downwardlygenerally concentric with the inside of the side wall 12. The plug 13projects downwardly into the mouth of the flask 30. Thus, when a presicesure within the flask less than atmospheric exists, the pressure on theoutside of the end wall 11 will cause it to move inwardly indicating anegative pressure. This will deflect the plug 13 outward, therebyforming sealing engagement between its outside periphery and the insideof the mouth of the flask.

The side wall 12 has an inwardly extending flange 33, which terminatesin an upwardly facing shoulder 14 which underlies the bead 31 of theflask. A notch 22 is formed at one side in the flange 33 and extendsnearly to its lower edge. This allows vapor to vent from inside theflask when the pressure therein exceeds a certain value.

An annular head 24 that is wedge shaped in cross section extendscompletely around the plug 13 generally concentric to the plug. Itextends downwardly from the inside of the end wall 11 between the plug13 and the side wall 12 and engages the flattened rim 37 of the flask,thereby sealing the flask against leakage. A flat surface 16 is disposedoutside the bead 24 and a flat surface 15 between the bead and plug 13.When the pressure inside the flask is lower than atmospheric, this bead24 being wedge shaped, forms an excellent seal with the rim 37. The bead24 is spaced outwardly a distance indicated at 23 from the plug 13. Thelower part of the plug 13 is hollowed out at 18 so that it defines anannular member when the central part 17 of it is more flexible than theannular part. Thus, when the central part is drawn inward by thepressure outside the flask, the peripheral part of the plug 13 engagesthe inside of the flask neck securely sealing it.

A handle 19 is integrally attached to one side of the side wall 12 andit has a depression 20 in it which can receive the end of an operatorsfinger to thereby facilitate removal of the cap.

The cap disclosed may be made of pure gum rubber. It is capable ofventing steam in a sterilization process which is generally carried outat a temperature in the range of 250 F. The steam can vent during theslow exhaust cycle and until the completion of the sterilization cycleand the chamber temperature reaches 211 F.

The closure hermetically seals at the end of the exhaust cycle and whenthe steam cools to room temperature the top surface of the cap at thattime dishes inward which indicates a negative pressure inside the flask.On normal storage, the flasks will remain sealed until the closure hasbeen removed physically or, at least for an extended period of time. Thetab or handle permits easy removal from the flask without contaminatingthe flask which would occur if a person inserted his fingernail underthe rim of the cap.

The foregoing specification sets forth the invention in its preferredpractical forms but the structure shown is capable of modificationwithin a range of equivalents without departing from the invention whichis to be understood is broadly novel as is commensurate with theappended claims.

The embodiments of the inventionin which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A one piece elastic cap having an end wall, a side wall dependingfrom said end wall at the circumference of said end wall and adapted tobe telescoped over a lip and bead of a container; an annular plugdepending fromsaid end wall adapted to extend into the open mouth ofsaid container and defining a flat thin portion of said end wall; anannular wedge-shaped projection depending from said end wall adapted toengage said lip of said container; said side wall terminating in acontinuous annular flange having a shoulder formed on said flangeadapted to engage said bead; said shoulder having a single notchextending to said side wall permitting escape of pressure duringsterilization; said end wall becoming depressed as pressure inside saidcontainer approaches less than atmospheric;

said depression of said end Wall causing said annular plug to moveagainst said mouth of said container in sealing engagement with saidmouth; said movement of said end Wall causing said annular wedge-shapedprojection to move against said lip of said container in sealingengagement with said lip; said depression of said end wall indicatingcontinuance of sterilized condition.

2. The cap of claim 1 wherein a tab handle is attached to said side walland extends outwardly therefrom.

3. The cap of claim 1 in combination with a container, said containerhaving an open mouth terminating in a transverse rim, said annularprojection engaging said rim.

4 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1926 Simmons 21541 7/1962Poitras et a1 215-56 8/1964 Hayes 215-41 X 4/1966 Exton 21541 FOREIGNPATENTS 3/1963 Australia.

DONALD F. NORTON, Primaiy Examiner.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Examiner.

